ESSEX — A Vermont man is trying to mend relationships with his neighbors after a flag-burning incident.

Neighbors became upset when Maher Elhashami of Essex burned an American flag at his home this summer.

Elhashami told WCAX-TV that he burned the flag because it had touched the ground, but he didn’t realize he went about it the wrong way. He says he didn’t intend to show disrespect and wants to apologize to anyone who took offense.

Early Tuesday morning, Elhashami’s car exploded and caught fire while parked in front of his home. Police are investigating, but say they haven’t found a connection between the flag incident and the explosion.

Elhashami been a U.S. citizen since 1993 and says the U.S. offers far more opportunities than his homeland of Egypt.